Shipping from Australia to DubaiShipping from Australia to Dubai, by air and sea.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Australia to Dubai for businesses. We book air cargo from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth to DXB, and FCL or LCL sea freight from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle to Jebel Ali. We check the ABF export declaration and any DAFF permit, then clear the goods through Dubai Customs and deliver.
Business cargo only. Airlift Logistics ships commercial goods for importers, exporters, traders and manufacturers, with a commercial invoice and a registered consignee. We do not handle personal boxes, household effects or door-to-door parcels.
Australia to Dubai at a glance
Australian cargo for Dubai goes mostly by sea from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle, with chilled food and urgent goods flown. Agricultural goods need DAFF permits.
- Flight time
- About 14 to 15 h Sydney to Dubai
- Sea transit
- Roughly 3 to 5 weeks, varies by service
- Export filing
- Export Declaration to the ABF on ICS
- UAE duty
- 5% on most goods, lower under the CEPA
Where cargo leaves Australia for Dubai
Pick the gateway closest to the shipper. Western Australian cargo has the shortest sea leg to the Gulf.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | SYD | Kingsford Smith, the largest east coast air cargo airport | |
| Airport | MEL | Tullamarine, a major cargo and perishables gateway | |
| Airport | PER | Closest Australian airport to the Middle East | |
| Seaport | AUSYD | Sydney's container port | |
| Seaport | AUMEL | Australia's busiest container port | |
| Seaport | AUFRE | Western Australia's main container port |
Air or sea from Australia
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SYD, MEL or PER to DXB | About 2 to 4 days including clearance | Chilled food, samples, parts, urgent goods | |
| Sea freight FCL | Australian port to Jebel Ali | Roughly 3 to 5 weeks port to port | Full containers of food, grain and materials |
| Sea freight LCL | Australian consolidation to Jebel Ali | Varies, via consolidation and a transshipment hub | Smaller loads, from about 1 CBM |
Airlines flying direct from Australia to Dubai
- Emirates SkyCargo
Timings are typical ranges, not promises, and change with schedules and routing. Check the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Export rules in Australia
The Australian exporter or its agent lodges the export declaration. We work from the details your supplier provides.
| Item | In Australia |
|---|---|
| Export declaration | Lodged with the Australian Border Force (ABF) in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS) |
| When it is required | For goods worth more than AUD 2,000, goods needing a permit and drawback claims; lower-value goods may use an exemption code |
| Export permits | The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) issues permits for prescribed agricultural goods such as meat, dairy and plant products |
| Issued by an Australian chamber of commerce, if the buyer asks | |
| Check before booking | Sanctions screening and defence or strategic goods controls |
UAE duty on goods from Australia
Dubai Customs charges duty on the CIF value of the goods. Check current rates against your HS code.
| Item | For goods from Australia |
|---|---|
| UAE customs duty | 5% of the CIF value on most goods, set by HS code; some goods are exempt or higher |
| Trade agreement | UAE-Australia CEPA, in force since 1 October 2025: lower or zero UAE duty on many goods of Australian origin, with a certificate of origin |
| 5% on the CIF value plus duty | |
| Free zone option | Goods can move into JAFZA or another free zone without duty until they leave for the mainland |
Airlift Logistics files the import declaration with Dubai Customs and arranges delivery to the mainland, a free zone or re-export. See customs clearance in Dubai.
Approvals for common goods from Australia
Some Australian goods need a UAE approval before they clear. Ask your buyer to confirm these early.
- 01
Food registration
Food, dairy and drinks are registered with Dubai Municipality (Montaji) and must meet UAE label rules.
- 02
Halal certificate
Australian meat needs a halal certificate from a body the UAE recognises, issued before export.
- 03
Plants and animals
Plants, grain and live animals need MOCCAE permits and health or phytosanitary certificates.
- 04
Electrical and electronic products often need an ECAS certificate from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.
- 05
Medicines and supplements
Pharmaceuticals and health products go through the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE).
- 06
Mining and farm equipment
Heavy machinery may need conformity papers and clean, quarantine-ready equipment.
Documents for shipping from Australia to Dubai
Send these with your booking. We check that names, values and HS codes match across every document.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Customs value and duty in the UAE | |
| Packing list | Count, weights and marks for inspection |
| Air waybill or bill of lading | Transport contract and cargo release |
| Proves Australian origin when the buyer or bank asks | |
| Proof the export was lodged with the ABF | |
| Needed for meat, dairy, plant and other prescribed goods |
The DAFF permit number is quoted on the export declaration.
What UAE importers buy from Australia
Australia sells the UAE food, grain, livestock products, minerals and machinery, though the mix and values change by year.
- 01
Food and agricultural products
Meat, dairy, grain and fresh produce, often chilled by sea or air.
- 02
Machinery and mining equipment
Industrial equipment and parts, usually by sea.
- 03
Health and wellness products
Supplements and medical products, under EDE rules.
Australia to Dubai shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneYes, for goods worth more than AUD 2,000 or needing a permit. The exporter or its agent lodges an Export Declaration with the Australian Border Force through the Integrated Cargo System. Lower-value goods may use an exemption code. Check the ABF rules for your goods.
- The declaration produces an EDN.
- We can coordinate with your Australian agent.
Meat, dairy, fish and plant products need a DAFF export permit. Some also need a health or phytosanitary certificate, depending on the product and the importing country. The permit number goes on the export declaration. Apply early, because inspection and certification take time.
- Halal certification is also needed for meat.
- Check DAFF before you book space.
Melbourne, Sydney (Port Botany), Brisbane and Fremantle all handle containers for the Gulf. Fremantle is nearest the Middle East, so Western Australian cargo has the shortest sea leg. Some sailings transship, so compare routes and cut-off dates before choosing a port.
- Refrigerated containers need power at port.
- LCL is consolidated before sailing.
Emirates flies to Dubai from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. It carries cargo in the hold of those flights. Larger shipments may go on freighters or via a hub. We check space and routing for your weight, dimensions and any temperature needs.
- Chilled goods need cold-chain handling.
- Send weight and dimensions early.